Controversial Topic Discussion

Hi Frieda,

Yes. I read the response and I can understand the reasoning. It is actually in no way incompatible with what I am saying. The support for the troops that Raregem offers, as she has explained it, is tied to the fact that she thinks the troops are, presently even if not at the outset, doing a job that is morally justified. But, would you or Raregem support the troops if you did not consider what they were doing to be morally justified? This is the situation in which I find myself and the point I am getting at.

The way the Support the Troops mantra is most often presented is as if it is a duty of citizens to support their country's troops whether or not they support what it is the troops are doing. It is not only presented as a duty, but one that should trump one's personal convictions to the point that anyone who does not support the troops, regardless of their position on the particular agenda, is somehow not a good citizen. I can not accept that I should set aside my personal convictions and offer my support.

By not offering my support I am in no way saying that I do not care what happens to them or that I support their opposition. Take for example a situation presented in an article I recently read. Let's say a good friend of mine joined a cult which I considered to be immoral. Should I support them in their action? Well, no. I can care for them and hope that they see what I see and eventually end their relationship with the cult, coming out none the worse for their experience, but as long as I am morally opposed to their action, I can not, nor should I, offer them my support. I actually have a moral obligation to voice my opposition to their action in the hopes of bringing about what I see as positive change.

I realize there is no contractual obligation with the risk of heavy penalties for those who join cults so the analogy is only marginally relevant, but, I think, the reasoning has enough similarities to apply. When the troops return home, I will hold no ill will towards them, just as I would not hold it against my friend that they had become involved with the cult. But until that point, my support is not something I can offer.